Characters
What is the name of the only human to survive the flood?
Nanaboozhoo
Why are the majority of characters in this story animals?
Because in indigenous culture, animals hold spiritual significance and are viewed as spiritual beings.
Which group of people are mentioned to be destroyed in the flood?
The Anishinaabe people
Why were the people killed in the flood to begin with?
To purify them from their own violent behaviors
What Christian story could be compared to the Turtle island story?
Noah's Ark
Who swam under the water first?
Nanaboozhoo
Why was the turtle chosen to bear earth on its back and not a stronger animal? (Cultural significance)
In Indigenous culture, the turtle symbolizes creation, motherhood, longevity and wisdom. Therefore, it is considered the Earth Mother in indigenous culture.
What order did the group try diving under the water?
Why could no one reach the bottom of the water?
Because they didn't have the willpower
Why does the creator in this story connect with the Christianity belief of God?
They both planned or plan to purify their people by death. (Heaven/Hell, The flood)
What were all the animals that entered the water?
A Loon, a helldiver, a Mink, a Turtle, then the Muskrat.
Why is it so strange that the people in the story started fighting?
Because in indigenous culture, the act of only taking what you need is commonly practiced. Based on that, violence and murder is completely against that.
What happened after the earth was placed on the turtles back?
It expanded into a large island
Why could the Muskrat make it to the bottom?
Because his willpower and determination kept him going, didn't fear death
The two sacrifices sacrifice themselves for earth, but the turtle basically becomes the earth. How does this connect with Indigenous belief?
Death is not seen as an end, but a passing. Therefore, the turtle literally becoming the earth could symbolize that belief of passing into something greater
Which two animals sacrificed their lives in this story?
The Muskrat and The Turtle
What is the other name for the flood?
Mush-ko'-be-wun
What did the creator plan to accomplish when flooding the earth?
To purify it
What is the significance of the other animals making fun of the Muskrat at first?
They were proven wrong when he floated back up with the earth. They lived but came back with nothing, he came back with what he needed but lost his life
How is this creation story different from most other creation stories in different cultures or religion?
The story doesn't begin with the creator creating earth, it starts with the creator flooding it. This implies there were prior generations before us that we don't know about.
What is the name of the creator in this story?
Kitchi-Manitou
What is the significance of Nanaboozhoo?
Nanaboozhoo represents trickery but is also known as a cultural hero in Indigenous culture.
What are the two kinds of animals mentioned to survive the flood?
Those who could fly and those who could swim
What is the overall lesson of this story?
The story emphasizes selflessness and sacrifice, teaching those to live for others and the wellbeing of everyone, not just themselves
Why is sacrifice such a common ideal in most cultural/religious stories?
Because it is often portrayed as good, or having done something good despite your death